Over the years thousands of volunteers have helped build, renovate, clean up and support the ministry of Trout Lake Camps. One of the groups of volunteers who help behind the scenes are (left to right) Cheryl, Maggie and Dan. This past year they used their skills in design and decorating to furnish the interior of Stoneridge Dining Center. They spent hours selecting colors, researching seating options and materials to finish Stoneridge. Their goal was to create a dining facility where comfort and the natural setting of central Minnesota was brought inside so that conversation among guests would occur without barriers. 

Since the opening of Stoneridge, the feedback we have been getting from campers has been fantastic. Thanks Cheryl, Maggie and Dan for your work.

Throughout the summer, Trout Lake partners with churches who host our traveling Day Camps. All around the state of Minnesota, these Day Camp are held at churches who want to have the TLC brought to them. On our Day Camps page, you can see where these camps will be held and feel free to contact the church to register your kids.

Hot off the press are the 2012 summer camp brochures. We have an exciting theme for all of our camps and if you would like a summer camp brochure let us know (click here). Also, some camps fill up early so let your friends know and remind them to register soon. 

See you this summer!

Lynn joined the TLC team as a Special Projects Coordinator on Jan 5, 2012. She has a passion for Jesus, decades of Trout memories and a deep commitment to pray for the ministry at Trout. Her first assignments include: introducing Prayer 365, helping raise awareness of Project 365 (our $1 a day giving campaign) and increasing our effectiveness in communication with Trout Lake friends.

Lynn says, "I can truly say that I feel that God has been preparing me for this role. I prayerfully anticipate being on this great team that has had such a significant impact on my family’s life and the lives of so many. I trust that God will continue to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine through the ministry at Trout Lake Camps. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that."

We look forward to seeing how God uses Lynn in this new role. Welcome Lynn!

Doug, our master stoneworker and volunteer, laces up his work boots for the final touches on the lower fireplace in Stoneridge. He truly enjoys being a critical part to this entire project. Thanks Doug.

Alan Diers, our assistant maintenance director, works to complete the deck on Stoneridge Dining Center. The design of the deck is split into two sections so that the view is maximized in the middle of the building. We will be using Azek decking material which is a maintenance-free product. 

On October 25, 2011 we received an unsolicited phone call from a significant TLC donor who wanted to complete the $250,000 matching gift program. He simply said, "how much is remaining on the matching gift program because I would like to take care of that today." Wow, what perfect timing because his donation was 3 days before our annual meeting. This gift, along with outstanding pledges, provided the funds to complete the largest-ever Trout capital campaign. 

In mid-November we received the matching gift of $250,000 which means we are very busy putting the final touches on the building. Volunteers and sub-contractors are working diligently to install carpet, finish the lower level and install kitchen equipment. There will still be landscaping that needs to be completed in the spring but the inside, barring any major setbacks, Stoneridge Dining Center should be operational by January 1, 2012. 

The name Stoneridge was selected for three reasons. First, the camp Stoneridge is located on is called Timber Ridge and we wanted to associate the dining center with Timber Ridge. This association was completed by using the same word "ridge" in both names - Timber Ridge...Stoneridge. Second, if you have seen the location of Stoneridge you will notice that it sits on the highest point of Trout Lake Camps, which is the ridge at the top of the tubing hill. Therefore, geographically the word "ridge" makes sense when describing where the building is located. Lastly, the architectural design of the building contains significant stonework throughout the building. Therefore, once you walk inside the building you will immediately understand why we used the word "stone".  

We are not planning a big "grand opening party" rather we are simply going to invite donors, volunteers, friends of Trout and our 2012 summer staffers, to a commissioning service and lunch on Saturday, June 16 beginning around 11am. This will be an informal time to give thanks to God for how he provided donors and volunteers to help build Stoneridge Dining Center and pray over our 2012 staffers as they begin their summer ministry. It will be a wonderful time of reflection and looking forward to summer time ministry. There is no need to register like our previous Buddy Check events. Simply come as you are and enjoy the commissioning service.

Lastly, our TLC staff is so thankful to the hundreds of donors and volunteers who helped make this project become a reality. We believe this ministry facility will be a place where great fireside chats happen, friendships are born and ultimately, lives will be changed. Praise God.

Photo: lower level fireplace

Marty Walker, a professional cement worker, prepares the dining center floor. The work required to finish the floor takes approximately 15-20 passes of grinding and polishing for each square foot of cement. The first 9 passes of grinding require diamond pads that grind down the agregate so that 3/8 pebbles show on the floor. Each 12' by 12' cement section takes 30 minutes to complete one pass. Doing the math, Marty will spend hundreds of hours preparing the floor so that it is ready for campers and guests.

The maching in the background will be used during the final stages of floor preparation. It has a special cleaning and vacuuming component so that cement dust does is collected and not spread out throughout the building.

Did you know Trout hosts many rental groups throughout the year. Our different locations can provide the perfect setting for board meetings, leadership planning sessions, family events, youth retreats and much more. The four unique locations are: Foxes, Tree House, Shalom House and Timber Ridge. Below are the openings for 2012 (these are booked on a first-come, first served basis). Contact Jon at 651.278.8077 for reservations. 

Jan 6-8 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes

Jan 20-22 Tree House, Foxes Timber Ridge

Jan 27-29 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes

Feb 10-12 Shalom, Tree House

Feb 17-19 Foxes

Feb 24-26 Shalom, Tree House

Mar 2-4 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes, Timber Ridge

Mar 9-11 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes

Mar 16-18 Tree House, Foxes, Timber Ridge

Mar 23-25 Tree House, Foxes

Mar 30-Apr 1 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes, Timber Ridge

Apr 13-15 Tree House, Foxes, Timber Ridge

Apr 20-22 Shalom, Tree House, Foxes

May 4-6 Tree House, Foxes

Just a couple weeks ago our Trout staff and volunteers hung the 22' long mantel over the fireplace. In just a couple months this facility will be fully operational. 

On Sunday August 14, 2011, Max was baptized in Trout Lake during our Sunday morning worship service. This was a great day as Max let his friends and family know that he is a follower of Jesus and wants to live a life of obedience to Jesus. He is excited to take his faith back to the U of M and make a difference on the campus this fall.